An article in the October, 2009 edition of Hawaii Business--“Good News: A Small Elite No Longer Runs Hawaii—Bad News Nobody Does” --takes on the lack of leadership in Hawaii. Pointing to the failure of the Superferry and other recent projects, former Theo Davies CEO David Heenan says “people are somewhat burned out by all this consensus seeking. It ends up being just meeting after meeting, and all of a sudden, the window of opportunity closes.” His views are front and center in an article which could have been titled: “The case for Mufi Hannemann’s candidacy.”

For several months now he has been campaigning for Governor and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars for his run for Governor while at the same time receiving full salary from Honolulu taxpayers.  This is clearly not in the best interest of Oahu.

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today announced that Darwin Ching has resigned as director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR).  Ching, who has served as director since August 2007, resigned his position in preparation for his campaign to run for Honolulu City Prosecutor. His last day as director will be June 15. 

“I appreciate Darwin’s leadership as labor director,” said Governor Lingle.  “During his tenure, Darwin was instrumental in assisting thousands of Hawai‘i’s workers who lost their jobs as the global recession impacted our state.  Throughout this challenging economic period, Darwin and his team remained focused on ensuring the well-being of Hawai‘i’s workers while helping to create new jobs for our residents.  I wish him well in his future pursuits.”

The Hawaii Legislature is disenfranchising thousands of Hawaii’s voters who have consistently lobbied the Legislature in large numbers against HB444 for the past 2 years.

"I look forward to putting my support for Hawai`i's working families and small businesses against (Hannemann's) record of raising taxes and increasing the cost of living for our residents on O`ahu.

"Hawai`i can't afford him."

“As the country faces a looming fiscal crisis, it’s time to finally do something about Washington’s out-of-control spending.  A balanced budget amendment will force Congress to take a serious look at its priorities and find a solution rather than handing the problem to future generations."

“We are pleased that we are able to get refunds out to tax filers,” said Governor Lingle.  “We are able to issue the refunds at this time because of higher than expected tax collections, which is an encouraging sign that our economy is beginning to recover.  I want to again thank Hawai‘i taxpayers for their patience and understanding as we continue to work to address our budget shortfall, while setting the foundation for a stronger economic future.”

Governor Lingle announced on Monday, May 17 that the State would immediately begin issuing state income tax refunds that were processed during the months of January and February.  She made the decision after tax revenue collections for the first 10 months of the current fiscal year came in higher expected. 

Hawaii will hold the latest primary in the nation on September 18th. And just because only one Democrat will emerge to face Djou on that date doesn’t mean Hawaii Democrats’ civil war will end. In fact, the finger-pointing taking place in local Democratic circles could produce an even larger, more fractured field of candidates in the primary, leaving Democrats with little time to repair bruised egos and allowing Djou to stay far above the fray as the fall campaign season begins. Only one Republican holds a more Democratic seat than Djou, and Djou will be a top target, but Democrats have their work cut out for them. President Bush’s 47 percent share here in 2004 and GOP Gov. Linda Lingle’s big majorities in 2002 and 2006 show that HI-01 is open to voting for the right kind of Republican, especially when Democrats are a mess.

"We achieved a comprehensive solution because everyone brought something to the table and cooler heads prevailed for the sake of our children."

The agreement was made possible due to a unique three-way public-private partnership between the State, teachers and the major banks in Hawai‘i.   The plan calls for use of $57.2 million from the Hurricane Relief Fund, $2.2 million in federal funds, and six planning days the teachers have agreed to give back to the state. A $10 million line of credit from local banks is also available if needed.

“I am happy to announce that furloughs are over and children will be able to return to the classroom for the entire upcoming school year.  We have been able to do this without laying off teachers, increasing the size of classes, raising taxes, or adversely impacting the State budget,” Governor Lingle said.  “I am particularly proud that the major banks in our state stepped up and offered a line of credit that will give the Department of Education access to additional funds, if needed, to help end the furloughs.”

Colleen's goal, as confirmed election night by her campaign manager, was not to beat Charles but to finish second.

Mapping out their plan of attack in nightly Hawaii-focused 7:00 pm meetings, top NRCC brass sought ways to exploit the hard feelings that still remained from Case’s 2006 primary challenge to Democratic Sen. Daniel Akaka—a move that rankles many Hawaii Democrats to this day.

(So it is the Republicans who got Inouye and Akaka all riled up over this.  Perhaps the DCCC agrees with Ed Case's assessment of the Senators' mental faculties?)

In one instance Djou media advisor Ben Burger worked with NRCC officials to craft a 30-second TV ad that asserted Case missed many votes “while campaigning against Senator Akaka.”

(Is that all it took?)

IWV determined to engage with an Electioneering Communication designed to inform voters of three key data points:

• First, that Case had voted 72 times for higher taxes IWV Report on Hawaii 1 Special Election GEB International Inc. during his four-year tenure representing Hawaii’s Second Congressional District;
• second, that Case had received three “F” ratings from the nonpartisan National Taxpayers Union; and,
• third, that Case had recently hired indicted former Illinois Governor Rod Blagjojevich’s political consultant, better known to the FBI as “Advisor B” on their surveillance tapes of Blagojevich — and that this advisor had counseled the disgraced former governor to try to swap Barack Obama’s Senate seat.

The closest precedent to the situation in Hawaii 1 today was the 1986 race for the same seat, which featured both a special election and a divisive Democratic primary and resulted in a Republican victory in November. That divisiveness presumably contributed to the poor showing of Democratic nominee Mufi Hannemann in November. That looks like a good omen for Charles Djou.

Dems are beginning to consider the need for some kind of compromise candidate. Hanabusa is still unlikely to win a general election, they believe, and Case will have trouble winning a primary. Though official behind-the-scenes talks have yet to begin, they are likely to start in earnest in the future.

Consider the possibility that Hanabusa supporters—especially union members--are people who see themselves trapped in a web of retaliation.  Pollster ccAdvertising’s extreme undercount of Hanabusa votes indicates that up to 40% of Hanabusa voters clammed up.  The CivilBeat poll showed only 17% of Hanabusa voters feared to speak up.

Today, the people of Hawaii have sent a message to our Congress that we will not sit idly by and watch our great Nation stripped of its best by burdensome debt and wasteful government spending.  We sent a message that we need our government to focus on creating jobs and making life better for all of us.

Hawaii stood up to the old boy network tonight and elected a Member of Congress that will be accountable to the people and will put Hawaii’s interests first. I am eager to start working with the people of Hawaii to restore confidence in our nation and our government.”

Hanabusa apparently believes she owns 60% of the voters:  "Let's not forget, 60 percent of the vote is still Democrat and it's going to be a Democrat facing off against a Republican in November."

Djou responded to this kind of reasoning in a May 17 statement:  “Contrary to the opinion of the old guard, this congressional seat is not owned by the Democrat Party. It isn't owned by any union or special interest group. This seat is owned by the people. At its core, this belief separates me from my opponents.”

RESULTS (second read): 

HONOLULU, May 18, 2010 – Christopher J. Wong, small business owner and non-profit advocate announced his candidacy for the City Council tonight at the Mandalay Restaurant in downtown Honolulu. In attendance to this intimate event were Chris Wong Campaign Committee Honorary Chair, Oswald K. Stender; publisher of Hawai‘i’s Most Wanted magazine and Committee Chair Mary Jean Castillo-Barkley; business leaders and elected officials in support of his candidacy.

PA‘IA, MAUI – The State Commission on Water Resource Management will hold a meeting on Tuesday, May 25, in Pa‘ia, Maui, to hear public testimony and decide on a petition to amend the interim instream flow standards for 19 east Maui streams: Waikamoi, Alo, Wahinepe‘e, Puohokamoa, Haipua‘ena, Punalau, Honomanu, Nua‘ailua, ‘Ohi‘a, West Wailuaiki, East Wailuaiki, Kopili‘ula, Puaka‘a, Waiohue, Pa‘akea, Wai‘a‘aka, Kapa‘ula, Hanawi, and Makapipi.

Charles Djou Election Night Party

When:  Saturday, May 22, 2010, 4:30pm-7:30pm

Where: Hawai'i Republican Party Headquarters

Voters in the Hawaii first Congressional District Special election may drop off their mail-in ballots at the Office of Elections, located at 802 Lehua Ave. in Pearl City.  The deadline to return ballots is 6pm today. 

Pearl City Elections Office location>>> MAP

Ballots are also being collected at the State Capitol near the Father Damien statue until 6pm.

It isn't easy being Arizona these days, especially when President Barack Obama puts politics before Americans' interests, a foreign head of state before the United States, and an agenda of apology before much-needed, sensible reforms.

But that's just what happened this week when Mexican President Felipe Calderon visited Washington, DC. President Obama extended a warm hand to Calderon and demagogued Arizona’s illegal immigration law all in the name of politics.

The final tally will become clearer later this month, when Bank of Scotland, now part of Lloyd's Banking Group PLC, completes an auction for the debt on the property on the west side of Hawai'i, or, as it is known to locals, the Big Island. The price is expected to be in the $50 million-to-$100 million range, according to people involved in the process.

In 2006, at the height of the real-estate boom, a private appraiser valued the property, known as Hokuli'a, at between $600 million and $800 million, according to people familiar with the matter. The owner, Lyle Anderson, a Phoenix-based developer, has sold about one-third of the lots. But in early January, he defaulted on its debt, which was in the form of a $1 billion Bank of Scotland mortgage on Hokuli'a and five other less-valuable properties, according to people involved in the project's sale.

How this happened: Hokuli’a Settlement Exposed

“This trip to China is another important component in our ongoing effort to expand long-term economic development and business opportunities for Hawai‘i in the emerging China market,” said Governor Lingle.  “It is vital that our state continue to build and strengthen relationships in Asia, especially China, that will position Hawai‘i businesses and residents to capitalize on future economic and investment opportunities and strengthen our cultural and educational partnerships.”

On Saturday, you can also drop your ballot off at the State Capitol near the Father Damien statue until 6pm. 

On Sunday, columnist Ross Douthat described the Dodd bill as just one example of "the real story of our time. From Washington to Athens, the economic crisis is producing consolidation rather than revolution, the entrenchment of authority rather than its diffusion, and the concentration of power in the hands of the same elite that presided over the disasters in the first place. ... If Robert Rubin’s mistakes helped create an out-of-control financial sector, then naturally you need Timothy Geithner and Lawrence Summers — Rubin’s protégés — to set things right. ... But their fixes tend to make the system even more complex and centralized, and more vulnerable to the next national-security surprise, the next natural disaster, the next economic crisis. Which is why, despite all the populist backlash and all the promises from Washington, this isn’t the end of the 'too big to fail' era. It’s the beginning."

Bob Wiesel is a pseudonym that has a long history in Honolulu and been passed around quite a bit.  I am one of many Bob Wiesels...collectively we amount to a poor man's Publius. There are blog entries that go back to before 2001 still online from Robert D. Wiesel, BobW, BWiesel and every other variant that you can dream up.  Some of the "Bob's" work for, or had worked for both the city and state at some point. 

Blog participation at City Hall tapered off after Dave Shapiro started publishing IP addresses in an attempt to suppress his critics.  Several individuals at City Hall asked Charles Totto (ethics commission) for a reading on whether it was "against the rules" to participate during our lunch hour, breaks etc.  He recommended that we play it safe and just not do it at all from the city network and it pretty much stopped at that point.  Bob Wiesels live on, however, on their own time and own internet connections. 

HONOLULU, Hawaii -- Approximately 200 Soldiers assigned to the 307th Integrated Theater Signal Battalion (ITSB)’s Headquarters, Headquarters Company (HHC) and Bravo Company, are deploying to Afghanistan for one year to provide signal support as part of the Operation Enduring Freedom surge.

This is the 307th's first deployment into combat since the Vietnam War.

HONOLULU - Lt. Governor Duke Aiona today announced more than a thousand jobs that pay $8 or more per hour are available immediately for young people, ages 14 through 23, from low-income families through the new 2010 Summer Youth Employment Program.

Savvy liberal political strategists and worried Democratic primary voters, moreover, have had ample time to adapt to the demands of an angry and increasingly conservative electorate. Few Democrats in swing or conservative districts will run as Pelosi or Obama liberals. Instead, expect their rhetoric to morph the populism of Joe Sestak into the conservatism of Mark Critz.  As Rand Paul said last night:

I have a message, a message from the Tea Party. A message that is loud and clear and does not mince words: We’ve come to take our government back.

We are reprinting excerpts from an April 23 letter to Honolulu Councilmember Ann Kobayashi from Honolulu Attorney John C. McLaren who wrote “on behalf of former Governor Ben Cayetano and other unidentified people” according to the May 6 Advertiser.  Kobayashi and Cayetano are key supporters of Neil Abercrombie.    The allegations contained in the letter have been forwarded to the State procurement office for investigation.  

  Obama doubles down on book burning....

On March 26 the White House released a fact sheet on the New START Treaty. It claimed that the agreement signed by President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev "does not contain any constraints on testing, development or deployment of current or planned U.S. missile defense programs."

But the Russians seem to have a different interpretation of the document they signed.

As of April 30, 2010, actual tax revenue collections indicate the revenue decline for the current fiscal year will be smaller than forecasted by the Council on Revenues.  For the first 10 months of FY10, actual tax collections were down 1.0 percent.  In contrast, the Council on Revenues has forecasted negative revenue collection growth of 2.5 percent.

“The fact that the decline in actual tax collections is less than what the Council on Revenues projected is an encouraging sign,” said Governor Lingle. 

Lt. Governor Aiona on Thursday announced at a news conference at the State Capitol that Hawai`i residents will soon be able to save money on new energy-efficient refrigerators when they replace their old models, as a result of $2 million in federal stimulus funds allocated to the State of Hawai`i to be used for Energy Star appliance rebates.

Whereas marriage is a fundamental institution of society, which must be protected and reserved for the unique and complementary union between one man and one woman; it is in the interest of the Government to accord special rights and privileges to the institution of marriage in order to foster and support marriage between one man and one woman so as to maintain society in the optimum family setting providing benefit to the couple and a father and a mother for any resultant offspring; no other human relationship provides that optimum setting for a child;

The Democratic Gubernatorial Primary features a confrontation between Neil Abercrombie and Mufi Hannemann.  Whether one sees this as a replay of Democrats’ 1986 Abercrombie vs. Hannemann demolition derby or as an echo of the current Case vs. Hanabusa CD1 cage fight, it is not difficult to see what Matsuura might mean by “politics or special interests.”

But what about the song?  “For the sake of the children” is a cry which has been used to justify many things.  Why might it now mean “Aiona for Governor”?

"Charles Djou is scared to death, desperate and knows his campaign is slipping. He's a fraud, a charlatan and the political equivalent of a 'Rick Roll' and the voters of the district can see that," said Jason Burke, Case's campaign manager....

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced this week that it was pulling out of the district after spending more than $250,000 on TV ads blasting Djou.

CBS News' Chip Reid points out: "Mr. Obama's been president for nearly 16 months. Does he get at least a little piece of the blame?" Pointing to President Obama's staunch defense of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Reid answered his own question: "Not a bit. ... He portrayed his administration as valiantly fighting the good fight against the oil companies from day one. ...So while the president is pointing the finger of blame, he's also working hard to make sure that over time the finger doesn't do a 180."

“It is no surprise that the three former governors would come out in full support of electing someone who would perpetuate Hawai'i’s broken political system since they are responsible for creating it.  Their encouragement to vote for any Democrat only illustrates that they want to continue the culture of wasteful out of control spending and high taxes in Washington D.C.,” stated Ka’auwai. 

HILO, HAWAI‘I — Teams of local middle and high school students competed today using underwater robots that they designed and built over the past weeks and months.  At the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Student Life Center Pool, students used their underwater robots, known as remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs), to navigate the precarious terrain of active undersea volcanoes in a mock setting. 

“Charles has run a great campaign and his message bold, independent leadership is exactly what people want to hear," said Hawai'i Republican Chairman Jonah Ka’auwai.  “The state party has been an active partner with his campaign and the grassroots support has been tremendous.  It is this type of energy we will take into November and the state convention helped showcase the future of the Republican Party.” 

Kalani HS: Political indoctrination?